Prince George Catches Kate Middleton and Prince William Exchanging a Look of Love at Trooping the Colour. Kate Middleton and Prince William shared a sweet moment on the Buckingham Palace balcony at Trooping the Colour, and their son Prince George appeared to witness the exchange! The royals gathered in London for King Charles’ official birthday celebrations on June 15, keeping tradition by wrapping the event with an appearance on the palace balcony.
In their first joint event of the year, the Prince and Princess of Wales stood close together on the terrace of the royal residence with their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. In a photo that has circulated online, Prince William and Princess Kate smile at each other as they seemed to share a loving exchange.
Standing beside them was 10-year-old Prince George, who turned his head to catch the sweet moment while Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, continued to look forward, keeping their attention on the festivities. Trooping the Colour marked the first outing for the family of five this year as well as Princess Kate’s first public appearance since she announced her cancer diagnosis in March. “Family is really important to the Princess of Wales, and she wanted to be there to support her family,” a royal source said of the Princess of Wales’ decision to attend.
Prince William, 41, resumed public duties but remains focused on supporting Princess Kate, 42, amid her ongoing cancer treatment. “For William, everything hinges on Kate’s well-being,” royal biographer Ingrid Seward previously told PEOPLE. Throughout their 13-year marriage, the royal couple have prioritized private time with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, routinely clearing their public schedules during school breaks and taking part in school drop-offs and pick-ups rather than always leaving the task to a nanny. Now, their family-first manta is more important than ever.
“William is prioritizing giving her all the time she needs to get better and the support, particularly to the children,” says a close source. Princess Kate confirmed she would be at Trooping the Colour in a personal message released on June 14, which was significant as her first health update since she announced her diagnosis in March. “On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home,” the Princess of Wales said in part. “I’m looking forward to attending the King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.”
Princess Kate was with her kids throughout Trooping the Colour, traveling together in the Glass Coach for the procession through London and watching the pageantry at Horse Guards’ Parade from a window of the Major General’s Office. They reunited with Prince William after he rode in the parade on horseback, stepping out together on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the Royal Air Force’s classic flypast. The sibling bond between George, Charlotte and Louis was on display throughout the festivities, highlighted by lighthearted moments like Charlotte telling Louis to “stop” dancing at the Major General’s Office and George reminding his brother to “turn around” on the palace balcony.
The Princess of Wales’ appearance at Trooping the Colour didn’t signal a full return to royal duties, and no date has been set for that decision. Any events in the near future will be based on when she feels able and with the guidance of her medical team. Behind the scenes, Princess Kate has started to work from home and hold meetings with her official teams in Windsor when she feels able. “The Prince is pleased to see the Princess starting to engage with the work and projects that are important to her,” a Kensington Palace spokesperson says about Prince William’s support. “He will continue to focus his time on supporting his wife and children while continuing to undertake his public duties.”
The day after Trooping the Colour, Prince William and Princess Kate marked Father’s Day by sharing a new photo of the Prince of Wales with his kids. “We love you, Papa. Happy Father’s Day G, C & L,” read the caption of the snap. The shot showed Prince William standing with his three children on the beach and was taken from behind by Princess Kate in Norfolk last month. In a royal first, the message was signed with George, Charlotte and Louis’ initials, indicating that the message came from the kids